I started my 2018 in the same way everyone else did, by setting myself a giant list of goals and resolutions for the New Year ahead. Two of my many resolutions were to be positive and practice gratitude daily.

Overall, I see myself as a positive person – I always try to see the best in a bad situation. Sometimes, this isn’t always that easy – especially in recruitment, where a standard working week can come with highs and lows.

I believe that, so far, I have managed to practice gratitude and positivity every day, despite it sometimes being challenging. Some of the factors that I believe have helped me along the way, both in my professional and personal life are:

• When I have had to deal with a difficult situation I have allowed myself to have an “ah, this isn’t fair” moment, but that is all I have allowed it to be – a moment. Previously I may have wallowed somewhat or allowed myself to feel like the victim of circumstance. When it comes to work, I have learned to take a step back and ask myself what I could have done differently.

• Sometimes you can have a day full of negative outcomes, that’s why you have to celebrate the wins – every single one, no matter how big or small. I am lucky that here at Lotus People, there is a huge focus on collaboration and team work. We always receive positive feedback and any wins are shared and acknowledged throughout the team

• Physical and mental health go hand in hand so I try to walk to or from work every day. Outside of that, I practice yoga at work every Wednesday over lunch, we are lucky to have an instructor come into the office to teach for an hour. This is the perfect midweek remedy and I always feel relaxed and ready to take on the world afterwards.

• Lastly, and I know this sounds cliché – but always surround yourself with good, positive people in life. I am beyond privileged and lucky to work with an incredibly supportive team at Lotus People. When something hasn’t quite gone my way, I can always rely on my colleagues to give me advice, empathise or even give me tough love when I need it.

I don’t want to be just another person saying ‘be positive’ because sometimes it is not that easy – especially on a Monday! We live in a world of self-promotion where we are constantly on social media comparing ourselves to others. Try not to get sucked into it; focus on you, where you are, where you want to be and try to practice positivity and gratitude– you get out what you put in.

“It all begins and ends in your mind. What you give power to has power over you, if you allow it.”



Written by Michelle Barrett, Temporary Recruitment Consultant